March 3, 2026
Belgium

In the framework of International Women’s Day 2026, Europa Nostra and the International Alliance for the protection of heritage (ALIPH), in partnership with the Directorate for Outreach, DG COMM of the European Parliament, will co-host a panel discussion to highlight the essential role women play in safeguarding cultural heritage in contexts of crisis on 3 March 2026 (9:00-12:00) at the Zweig Visitor Centre of the European Parliament in Brussels (Ardenne-Belliard / rue d’Ardenne, 1000 Brussels).

The panel discussion, followed by a visit to the outdoor photo exhibition “Portraits of Women – Beyond the Stones”, will amplify women’s leadership, lived experiences, and professional expertise. It will also connect cultural heritage protection with European Union priorities on gender equality, democracy, human rights, peace, and international cooperation.

The photo exhibition spotlights eight exceptional women: four of them received the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards for their extraordinary contribution to preserving cultural heritage in their city, region, or country; while the other four have been partners of the ALIPH Foundation, implementing critical on-the-ground projects to protect cultural heritage at risk in countries in conflict, crisis, or impacted by climate change.

The  outdoor photo exhibition will be displayed from 2 to 16 March at the Esplanade Solidarność 1980 (100 place du Luxembourg, 1050 Brussels).

The event is organised in the framework of the activities of the #Women4Heritage network coordinated by Europa Nostra under its network project Europa Nostra Heritage Agora, which is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

The event is free-of-charge but registration is compulsory. Due to limited capacity, we kindly ask you to register as soon as possible and by 1 March at the latest to secure your participation and access to the premises.

Register here

09:00 – 09:30 | Welcome coffee and registration

Master of Ceremonies: Vanessa Fraga Prol, Advocacy and Partnerships Manager, Europa Nostra

09:30 – 09:45 | Special address: Nela Riehl, Chair, CULT Committee, European Parliament

09:45 – 10:00 | International Women’s Day 2026 Campaign Presentation: “Women’s Rights and Democracy: Combating Stereotypes, Disinformation and Violence in the Digital Age”- Philipp Schulmeister, Director, Directorate for Outreach, DG COMM of the European Parliament

10:00 – 11:15 | Panel Debate: “Women Safeguarding Cultural Heritage during Conflict & Crisis”. Moderator: Sandra Bialystok, Director of Communications and Partnerships, ALIPH

– Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General, Europa Nostra
Introduction of the topic: European civil society perspective and recognition of women heritage champions
– Lina Gálvez, Chair, FEMM Committee, European Parliament

• Field-based testimonies from three women portrayed in the exhibition, sharing personal experiences from conflict and post-conflict contexts:
  • Lesia Voroniuk (Ukraine)
    Expert in Ukrainian cultural heritage and Head of the NGO World Vyshyvanka Day. Lesia has implemented over 70 projects in Ukraine and internationally, including documentaries, books, art albums, exhibitions, workshops, fashion shows, diplomatic receptions, educational campaigns, festivals, and reconstruction initiatives. The NGO World Vyshyvanka Day received a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award, in the category Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-Raising, and the Public Choice Award in 2022.
  • Marine Mizandari (Belgium / Georgia)
    Chair of the National Trust of Georgia since 2017. With 30 years of professional experience, her career spans scientific research, senior management, and heritage project implementation across Georgia and Europe. She served as Deputy Minister of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia (2012-2014) and has advised the Georgian Government on strategic heritage policies. Marine combines scientific expertise with policy experience to strengthen heritage management and public engagement
  • Susy Galeone (Italy)
    Founder and president of the social cooperative La Paranza. Susy works in the Rione Sanità neighbourhood of Naples, creating employment opportunities for young people through the revitalisation of local historical and artistic heritage. La Paranza transformed the Catacombs of San Gaudioso and San Gennaro into a major tourist destination, restoring frescoes and mosaics with the help of experts. Since its founding, the cooperative has employed 70 people, recovered 13,000 m² of heritage, and pioneered the “Sanità method” of community-led urban regeneration. La Paranza Cooperative received a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2022 in the category Heritage Champions.

11:15- 11:45 | Q&A

11:45- 12:00 | Closing remarks: Global perspectives on women-led heritage protection projects – Sandra Bialystok, Director of Communications and Partnerships, ALIPH